Everton's Phil Jagielka scores the equaliser during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton.

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It’s the reason why they have picked up just four points out of the past 15 on offer and find themselves in the bottom half of the table with the likes of Crystal Palace and Leicester City looking down on them.

A much criticised backline and goalkeeper could hold their heads high after a drastically improved defensive display.

There was no repeat of the careless individual errors which proved the Reds’ undoing in the back-to-back league defeats to Aston Villa and West Ham.

On this occasion the problems were at the other end of the field.

Liverpool should have had the points wrapped up long before Jagielka ended his 18-month drought.

Some will bemoan referee Martin Atkinson’s failure to award a penalty when Gareth Barry, who was fortunate to stay on the field, blatantly handled Raheem Sterling’s strike.

But the Reds enjoyed a let-off of their own when the impressive Alberto Moreno grappled with Romelu Lukaku.

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The fact is Liverpool only had themselves to blame for only having Steven Gerrard’s stunning free-kick to show for their efforts.

They simply weren’t ruthless enough in the final third as plenty of slick build-up play went unrewarded.

A knee injury suffered during the summer tour of America ensured it was a tough start to Lallana’s Anfield career but now he’s up and running. His creative spark is a significant addition to the Reds’ attacking armoury.

Lallana’s contribution was in stark contrast to Lazar Markovic, who was wasteful in possession and struggled to make any impression before being substituted.

When Sterling put him through with a sublime pass, the Serbian came off a distant second best with James McCarthy. It summed up his afternoon.

He’s only 20 and is adapting to life in a new country so has to be cut some slack but he has yet to live up to his £20million billing.

Steven Gerrard makes it 1-0 for Liverpool against Everton.

Mamadou Sakho may not have liked the look of Liverpool’s back four but defensively Rodgers’ men were sound.

With Lukaku kept firmly under wraps, Simon Mignolet was a spectator for long periods.

The keeper watched on as Gerrard silenced his critics in the best possible fashion.

The man for the big occasion made a mockery of jibes that he’s a spent force with his 10th derby goal.

Aside from the quality of the 25-yard free-kick which broke the deadlock, he pulled the strings with his range of passing. Playing further up the field than he has done recently allowed him to influence proceedings to a much greater degree.

With Jordan Henderson outstanding alongside the captain, the Reds bossed the second half.

Yet the killer second goal never arrived and the nearer they edged to a cherished derby triumph, the deeper they got.

By retreating and surrendering the initiative, they gave Everton hope and ended up paying the price.

A moral victory maybe but it felt like a defeat. Liverpool’s pursuit of a result to ignite their season goes on.